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EERIE TALES OF "CHINATOWN." 

Bits of ... . 
Broken China 

By WILLIAM E. S. FALES 

A collection of captivating novelettes deal- 
ing with life in New York's "Chinatown." 

The struggles and ambitions of the China- 
man in America, his loves and jealousies, 
his hopes and fears, his sorrows, his joys, 
these are the materials on which Mr. Fales 
has built his book 

It is a new field \ and all the more inter- 
esting on that account. The author has 
made a life study of his subject ; and no one 
is better qualified than he to present a picture 
of this romantic corner of New York w T here 
lives the exiled Chinaman 

"Bits of Broken China" is undoubtedly 
one of the most delightful volumes for lighter 
reading published this season 

Bound in cloth. Gold top. Fully Illustrated 

Price, 75 Cents. 

STREET AND SMITH, New York and London 



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PING PONG 

THE NEW TABLE GAME AS PLAYED 
'IN AMERICA 



BY 

M. G. RITCHIE 

Of the International Games Club 

AND 

ARNOLD PARKER 

Winr er of the Queen's Hall Ping Pong Tournament 

Edited for American Players by 
WALTER H. BRONSON 




NEW YORK AND LONDON 
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS 



THE L;8ftASY «F 

CONOR 
Two Gomea Pseetv£t 

APR, 2! t902 

CO*»Yft»«HT ENTRY 

OOF 



Copyright, 1902, 
By STREET & SMITH 



i*V 



Ping Pong 



CONTENTS. 



I. — Introduction g 

The History of the Game . . 9 

American Clubs 15 

II. — The Game 20 

Preliminaries 20 

Style 26 

Serving 27 

III. — Methods of Play .... 30 

Volleying 30 

The Half- Volley .... 33 

Head Play 35 

Forehand and Backhand Strokes . 36 

IV. — General Regulations . . .42 

Rules of the Cavendish Club . . 42 
Debatable Points . . . .46 

Rules for Match Play ... 48 

Club Formation 49 

Interclub Matches .... 50 



CONTENTS. 



V. — Leading Strokes 
The Service . 
The Return 
The Half- Volley , 
The Smash 



VI. — Scoring .... 

VII. — Ping Pong Tournaments 
The American System 
The English System 
Arranging a Tournament 
The Draw 

VIII. — Accessories for the Game 
The Racquet . 
The Ball . 

The Table .... 
The Net . 

IX. — Useful Hints . 



52 
54 
58 
62 
66 

71 

75 
81 
82 
85 
93 

97 

97 

99 

100 

101 

103 



FTisra pong. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The History of the Game, 
Within recent years the game of "Ping 
Pong" or "Table Tennis/' as it is va- 
riously called, has become exceedingly 
popular in America. This is not to be 
wondered at, for the endless subtleties of 
this new indoor amusement make it ab- 



Ping Pong. 10 

sorbingly interesting. It is difficult to say 
just when the game first came into ex- 
istence. For its conception and origin we 
must look to that oldest of all existing 
ball games, Tennis, and its modern adap- 
tation, Lawn Tennis. Ping Pong is prac- 
tically Lawn Tennis in miniature. Tennis 
was the sport of kings and nobles in the 
Middle Ages, and was probably first in- 
troduced in sunny Italy, and afterward 
taken up by the French, who gave it its 
name, from the word 'Tenezl' which 
they used when serving the ball. But it 
was not till 1890 that any one ever 
thought of bringing the delightful sport 
indoors. The story goes that in that year 
a number of gentlemen met in London, 



Ping Pong. 11 

and formed the first Ping Pong club, un- 
der the style of "Tennis in the Home." 
Their materials were a table, a net, a cork 
ball, and racquets made of cardboard. 

In about a month, however, the enthu- 
siasm of the players waned, and in spite 
of the introduction of wooden bats and 
rubber balls "Tennis in the Home" sank 
into obscurity. Probably one reason why 
it did not catch the popular fancy at that 
time was because the season was unpro- 
pitious — it was at the beginning of the 
summer, and no one wanted to spend his 
leisure time on any indoor amusement, 
however fascinating. News of "Tennis in 
the Home" traveled to New York at that 
time, and a few adventurous spirits in this 



Ping Pong. 12 

country, ever on the watch for anything 
new, made an attempt to plant the game 
on American soil, but their efforts were 
unavailing. 

Then, for a period of ten years, nothing 
was heard of the indoor sport. But in Au- 
gust, i goo, a little incident resulted in the 
formation of a Table Tennis club, and 
from this we date the real origin of Ping 
Pong. 

It appears that an English cricket team 
were on tour in August, 1900, but ex- 
perienced continuously bad weather, and 
the members were at a loss to know how 
to pass their time. One of them introduced 
some battledores, a celluloid ball, and a 
net ; the latter was fixed on a table, and the 



Ping Pong. 13 

members of the team found themselves so 
fascinated with the game and its possibili- 
ties that the abandonment of the cricket 
was more than atoned for. On returning 
to London several gentlemen continued 
playing, and thus began the Cavendish 
Club, now one of the best exponents of the 
game. It had at first a membership of 
some six or eight, but quickly attained its 
full complement of members, and was fol- 
lowed in rapid succession by the Blooms- 
bury House, Upper Clapton, and later by 
several American Ping Pong clubs. Inter- 
club play became an established fact, and 
with its advent two or three most success- 
ful tournaments were held in England. In 
these the marvelous interest taken in the 



Ping Pong. 14 

game was made apparent, and they were 
followed by a tournament on a much larger 
scale, viz., the Championships of London, 
in the galleries of the Royal Aquarium. 
The large number of players competing, as 
well as the enormous attendances, gave an 
indication of the wonderful popularity of 
the game, and as an indoor pastime there 
can be no possible doubt that it has ousted 
all others. The feeling that an association 
should be formed for the protection and 
interests of Table Tennis has led to the 
formation of such an institution, composed 
of several of the leading players and those 
most conversant with its needs, and 
termed the Table Tennis Association. Ow- 
ing to its easy adaptability to existing cir- 



Ping Pong. 15 

cumstances, Table Tennis has, in general 
popularity, far exceeded that of Billiards 
or any other indoor game. A pastime in 
which skill, control of temper, and mod- 
erate exercise are so well combined would 
be difficult indeed to find. Although origi- 
nally scoffed at and held in contempt by 
the votaries of baseball, football, lawn 
tennis, and other athletic sports, the game 
has already among its enthusiastic ad- 
herents many well-known sportsmen. 

American Clubs. 

The honor of having introduced the 
game into this country is due to the Har- 
vard Club, where it was explained by Mr. 
Holcombe Ward, now one of the cleverest 



Ping Pong. 16 

players of Ping Pong in America. In- 
stantly the sport became immensely pop- 
ular, and soon three tables were installed 
at the Harvard Club, followed by a brisk 
demand nightly for places. Pool and bil- 
liards were declared "off," and the tables 
were utilized for Ping Pong, a net being 
stretched down the center. Players soon 
became as expert upon the transformed 
billiard tables as upon the regulation Ping 
Pong tables. 

Quite a number of the old-time tennis 
players — not even excepting some of the 
champions — have forsaken their first love 
and have transferred their affections to the 
charming indoor sister of lawn tennis, 
Ping Pong. 



Ping Pong. 17 

The Ping Pong club organized in New- 
York by Dr. Charles Lee has been so suc- 
cessful that a tournament for women's 
singles, men's singles and mixed doubles 
followed as a matter of course. 

But the popularity of the game has not 
been confined to the East. Mrs. Potter 
Palmer told her friends in Chicago about 
it, and demonstrated its attractive qualities 
to the smart set in the Windy City. In a 
short time Ping Pong became of greater 
vogue than any attraction Chicago had 
ever known. Several tournaments, each 
having exceedingly large entry lists, have 
already been played there, and Ping Pong 
" favors" are the latest creations for the 
cotillion. 



Ping Pong. 18 

That the game is to have permanent 
place among the amusements of our people 
is not doubted by those who have watched 
and analyzed the rise and fall of fads in the 
way of indoor and outdoor amusements. 
It has every possible requisite for the 
proper exercise of body and mind, and 
young women in particular, who are not 
equal to the roughing and physical strain 
entailed by golf, tennis and kindred 
strenuous sports, will be heartily and 
healthfully benefited by Ping Pong. 

The fascination Ping Pong has for its 
players is shown by the activity which is 
daily growing in many clubs in New York. 
The Yale Club has many enthusiasts who 
play nightly, and many other clubs are or- 



Ping Pong. 19 

ganizing tournaments. At many of the 
clubs the club champions are practicing 
daily and nightly, and members vie with 
each other to play "dummy" with those 
who will fight for success and victory at 
the tournaments. 



Ping Pong. 20 



CHAPTER II. 

THE GAME. 

Preliminaries. 
All that is necessary for the fascinating 
game of Ping Pong is a good-sized table, 
a fair amount of room at both ends and 
sides, a pair of bats, or racquets, a cellu- 
loid ball, and a net to stretch across the 
table at a height of three-quarters of an 
inch to each foot of table length, sus- 



Ping Pong. 21 

pended on a couple of posts so clamped 
to the table that the net will project some 
three or four inches on each side. There 
are two players, one at each end of the 
table. Tersely stated, the object of the 
game is for one player to so strike the ball 
over the net to the other player that the 
latter is unable to return it. 

We have here a game which is in the 
reach of almost every one to play, and in 
which ladies, gentlemen, and children are 
almost on an equality. It is easily learnt, 
and reasonable proficiency, provided the 
player has a correct eye, is soon attained. 
No special apartment is required, and the 
implements are all inexpensive. It has 
one very great advantage in that players 



Ping Pong. 22 

may play in their homes without upset- 
ting existing arrangements; and, as mod- 
erate exercise only is necessitated, it forms 
a most healthful amusement for after 
dinner. It is quite unnecessary to be a 
champion to enjoy playing, as the game 
has a fascination peculiarly its own, but 
for those who wish to attain higher pro- 
ficiency it is better to join one of the 
numerous Ping Pong clubs, and prac- 
tice regularly four or five times a 
week, as there is no doubt that one 
of the most important items for suc- 
cess is constant and unremitting prac- 
tice. The opportunity of playing against 
different styles of play is most ad- 
vantageous to the young player, and the 



Ping Pong. 25 

system adopted by several clubs, viz., that 
of having a list of players chosen to rep- 
resent them in matches, the right of chal- 
lenging such players for place in the team 
once or twice m the season being open to 
the other members of the club, is an ex- 
cellent one. A quick eye, flexibility of 
wrist, good judgment, and control of one's 
feelings are essentials to good play. There 
is one great thing to be guarded against, 
and that is the tendency, having arrived at 
a certain proficiency, to remain in that 
stage and not endeavor to improve. The 
aim should always be "higher, still high- 
er/' and the beginner is recommended to 
continually try and practice new strokes, 
to play in whatever matches he can, and 



Ping Pong. 26 

not to be in any way cast down if he comes 
out frequently a loser. The fact of trying 
new strokes and attaining an all-round 
proficiency will eventually bear fruit, and 
it is surprising with what suddenness a 
player will find himself nearing the top of 
the tree. 

Style. 

It is difficult to recommend any special 
style for the beginner to adopt, as most 
players have their own natural methods. 
To adopt one safe stroke and to cultivate 
a free style are very desirable, and, as al- 
ready explained, to play this game for two 
or three seasons, regardless of whether 
gains or losses are scored, good fruit is 
bound to result. There is little doubt that 



Ping Pong. 27 

the lawn tennis player generally exhibits 
rather superior style in the game of Ping 
Pong, as compared with those who have 
only played the latter. The lawn tennis 
player generally has a much freer style, 
with longer and harder drives, and is not 
so inclined to play the "stone-wall" game 
which is a characteristic of so many. It is 
this latter feature that is at present a 
serious handicap to the game, and it is not 
unlikely that "volleying" will have to be 
introduced in some shape or form to miti- 
gate this. 

Serving. 

Another point is the fact that serving 
generally carries with it some advantage, 
varying, of course, with the proficiency of 



Ping Pong. 28 

the player in this branch of the game. To 
militate against this advantage, it has been 
suggested that a line should be drawn 
down the center of the court, and that the 
server should have to serve into the space 
on either side of this line alternately, thus 
vefy much lessening the area open for his 
service. As, however, the space is already 
sufficiently restricted, and often renders 
play even now a matter of considerable 
self-restraint, such a regulation has not 
been carried out in serious matches up to 
the present. The very important rule of 
serving below the waist is often honored 
more in the breach than in the observance, 
consequently the beginner should endeavor 
to work up a service which is strictly un- 



Ping Pong. 29 

derhand. There are, of course, a very 
large variety of strokes used in playing 
Table Tennis, but these need a chapter for 
themselves. Suffice it to say that in all de- 
partments of the game the desirable thing 
is to cultivate a crisp, clean, hard-hitting 
stroke, and if a good cut or screw can at 
the same time be imparted to the ball, it is 
in most cases a desirable addition. 



Ping Pong. 30 



CHAPTER III. 

METHODS OF P L, A Y . 

Volleying. 

In the sister game of Lawn Tennis we 
have forehand, backhand, underhand, and 
overhand, as well as overhead, strokes. 
Four of these strokes are exclusively used 
in Ping Pong, the overhead strokes being 
available for lawn tennis only, as, under 
the present circumstances, volleying is not 



Ping Pong. 31 

permitted in Ping Pong. There is little 
doubt that lawn tennis owes a consider- 
able amount of its popularity to overhead 
play, as the latter is generally more bril- 
liant, and at the same time, perhaps, re- 
quires rather more quickness of eye 
and arm than strokes off the ground. 
This is partly because in volleying the 
ball is struck by the player's racquet 
before it has time to touch the 
ground, consequently it (the ball) gen- 
erally has more force behind it than one 
which bounces first on the court and is 
then struck by the player's racquet. It is 
obvious that in the latter case the ball 
must, by its impact with the ground, lose 
a certain amount of vigor. The compara- 



Ping Pong. 32 

lively small area of table on each side of 
the net does not permit of volleying being 
adopted in Ping Pong to anything like the 
extent it is in Lawn Tennis. At the same 
time, an excellent game can be played by 
relegating the player to the end of the 
table only, and not allowing any other vol- 
leys than those made from that position. 
By this means, on a full-sized table, nine 
feet by five feet, the volleyer can only 
comfortably volley when the ball is near 
the end of the table, and this makes it a 
matter of considerable difficulty and skill. 
It is often an easy matter to smash a ball 
when one is right over the net at lawn 
tennis, but it becomes quite a different mat- 
ter w T hen one is standing near the base 



Ping Pong. 33 

line, and the same thing applies to Ping 
Pong. An excellent plan, then, for those 
who are playing the game for amusement, 
is to draw a line on each side of the net 
and parallel with it half-way between the 
end of the table and the net, and to allow 
volleying only over this line. It is notice- 
able that when commencing to play either 
Lawn Tennis or Ping Pong, beginners 
generally fall into their own natural 
method of hitting the ball, and it is much 
better, unless it is in some flagrantly bad 
style, to allow them to follow it up and 
improve themselves in it. 

The Half-Volley. 
In Lawn Tennis the ball cannot drop 
below the level of the field of play, but in 



Ping Pong. 34 

Ping Pong, when a ball has bounded on 
the table and perhaps dropped over its 
edge, it makes an underhand return a very 
difficult stroke. It is consequently the aim 
of many Ping Pong players to hit the ball 
as soon after it has touched the table as 
possible. A ball that is hit in this way, 
viz., immediately after the bound or al- 
most simultaneously with it, is a half-vol- 
ley, and one sees this stroke a very great 
deal more used in Ping Pong than in Lawn 
Tennis. In fact, in the latter game it may 
safely be said to be used more in liberating 
the player out of a difficulty than at any 
other time. There are, of course, one or 
two exceptions among players, for some 
have brought the half -volley stroke to ab- 



Ping Pong. 35 

solute perfection, and in playing Lawn 
Tennis, use hardly any other — but their 
game is quite exceptional. In Ping Pong 
one finds it quite the other way. It is al- 
most an exception to find a player who 
does not more half-volley than anything 
else. 

Head Play. 
While there is probably not in Ping 
Pong the same capacity for head work 
that there is in Lawn Tennis, owing to the 
field of operation being so very much 
smaller, there is plenty of opportunity for 
exercising it. It is, however, useless for 
the player to endeavor to, as it is termed, 
play with his head, until he has made him- 
self thoroughly familiar with all the 



Ping Pong. 36 

strokes. In Lawn Tennis head work plays 
a very important part, as, owing to the 
area to be covered, there is physical ex- 
haustion to be taken into consideration. 
This does not apply to anything like the 
extent in Ping Pong. It is consequently 
to be recommended that a severe style of 
hitting be practiced at first in preference 
to placing. 

Forehand and Backhand Strokes. 
A few words in regard to forehand and 
backhand strokes may possibly not be out 
of place here. There is a natural direc- 
tion for each of these strokes, that of the 
forehand stroke being from right to left, 
and of the backhand stroke from left to 



Ping Pong. 39 

right. The foregoing diagrams will ex- 
plain the natural direction of these strokes. 
It is as well in commencing the game to 
start driving the ball from A to B with the 
forehand, and from C to D with the back- 
hand. When a fair amount of proficiency 
has been arrived at in playing these two 
strokes, the beginner should practice driv- 
ing the ball from A to E and C to F. 
These four strokes are undoubtedly the 
all-important ones in Ping Pong. The be- 
fore-mentioned strokes are what are 
called "drives." Besides these there is the 
"lob," which is a ball returned high in the 
air, and consequently with a high bounce. 
In Lawn Tennis when a man has ex- 
hausted himself considerably in driving 



Ping Pong. 40 

the ball and then rushes up to the net to 
finish off a rally, his opponent will per- 
haps lob the ball over his head right into 
the back of the court The other man is ex- 
hausted, cannot get back in time, and his 
opponent consequently scores a point. In 
Ping Pong, however, the "lob" is a most 
ineffectual stroke, as the question of ex- 
haustion hardly enters into the play, and 
the high bound of the ball will give the op- 
posing player an opportunity to smash it 
down over the net. Beginners should, 
therefore, cultivate keeping the ball as 
near as possible to the top of the net, at 
the same time keeping a good length. The 
latter term means returning the ball so 
that it strikes as near the extremity of the 



Ping Pong. 41 

table as possible. All short returns give 
the player a chance for the overhand 
smash, and as this is generally a certain 
point for the player using the smash, it is 
essential never to give him an opening 
for it. 



Ping Pong. 42 



CHAPTER IV. 

GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

Rules of the Cavendish Club. 
Directly Ping Pong became a club game 
it was necessary to draw up rules that 
should be universally used in match and 
other play. The Cavendish Club by de- 
grees, as they became more familiar with 
the game, formulated the rules which they 
found necessary. These were adopted by 



Ping Pong. 43 

the clubs following suit, and the regula- 
tions formulated by the Cavendish Club 
are those which have, up to the present, 
been observed in all the important tourna- 
ments. It is probable they will be revised 
when an American Ping Pong association 
comes into being. At the same time there 
is not, apparently, much room for addi- 
tion. The rules in regard to the game are 
as follows : — 

Ride A. — The two players take up po- 
sitions one at each end of the table. 

B. The player who first strikes the 
ball is termed the server. 

C. The service must be delivered from 
behind the end of the table, and so that at 
the time of striking the ball the server's 



Ping Pong. 44 

racquet must be within the space that 
would be inclosed by the sides of the table 
if produced. 

D. In serving, no part of the racquet 
except the handle may be above the waist. 

E. The object of the server is to strike 
the ball so that it falls on the opposite side 
of the net. 

F. Should the server in striking the ball 
over the net in serving touch the net with 
the ball, this counts as a let, which means 
"no ball/' and the server has to serve 
again. 

G. Should the server strike the ball into 
the net or over the net, but so that it does 
not touch the table, this is a fault and 
counts as one point to his opponent. 



Ping Pong. 45 

H. In returning the service the ball must 
be allowed to bounce once. Directly after 
the ball leaves the server's racquet it is in 
play. The ball is struck backward and 
forward until one of the players either hits 
it into the net, out of the court, or misses 
it altogether, any one of these mistakes 
counting as one point to his adversary. 

I. No volleying is allowed, and all such 
strokes, whether involuntary or otherwise, 
count against the volleyer. 

J. Should the ball strike the ceiling or 
any object outside the table other than the 
net or posts, or the opposing player's rac- 
quet, when in play, before striking the 
table, the point shall count against such 
player making the stroke. 



Ping Pong. 46 

K. Should the server's opponent not re- 
turn the service this counts as one point to 
the server. 

L. The service changes after every five 
points scored, and a change of ends is 
usual after every ten points scored. Scor- 
ing is generally twenty points up, or Lawn 
Tennis scoring may be adopted, namely, 
fifteen, thirty, forty, deuce and advantage, 
or game. 

Debatable Points. 

One of the most important items in the 
above is in respect to service. This must 
be strictly below the waist, but this rule is 
somewhat unsatisfactory, as it makes no 
allowance for the height of the player, and 
it is obvious that a verv tall man has a 



Ping Pong. 47 

great advantage over a short one. Up to 
the present no satisfactory means has been 
arrived at of making the chances of the 
two players equal. Another debatable 
question is as to whether a ball which is 
quite apparently falling outside the limits 
of the table is in play or not and may be 
touched by the player before it drops to 
the ground. In Lawn Tennis it is an ada- 
mant rule that the ball is in play until it 
has dropped to the ground, and must not 
be touched by the player, even though he 
may be standing some yards out of court. 
Many Ping Pong players, however, think 
that when a ball is obviously going to drop 
out of court it should be considered out of 
play, and may be touched by the opposing 



Ping Pong. 48 

player without having a point scored 
against him. 

Rules for Match Play. 
The table must be 9 feet by 5 feet, pref- 
erably of a dark green color with a f-inch 
white line round the edge. The net must 
be 6f inches high, and in order that there 
may be no obstructions, the net should ex- 
tend some three or four inches beyond the 
sides of the table. The general system of 
play observed in matches is the American 
system, every player playing each mem- 
ber of the opposing side. Scoring 20 
points up, and if 19 points all are reached, 
then the best of 5 points to be played. 
Team five players on each side. The bat, 



Ping Pong. 49 

or racquet, must not have a playing sur- 
face exceeding 6 inches by 7 inches. 

Club Formation. 

Wherever enthusiastic Ping Pong play- 
ers are gathered together it is pretty cer- 
tain a club will soon be the result, and in- 
deed this is a most desirable thing, as it 
does so much to encourage the sport. The 
first thing to be done is to find suitable 
premises, and arrange to have whatever 
tables are required. 

It is advisable to form a committee, and 
to appoint an Hon. Secretary as well as 
an Hon. Treasurer — in both cases, but in 
the former more particularly, preferably 
those with a fair amount of spare time at 



Ping Pong. 50 

their command. The amount of the an- 
nual subscription to members must be ar- 
ranged, and rules for the guidance of 
members in all matters of detail must be 
drawn up, such as the hours when the club 
is to be opened for practice, the extent of 
time members should be permitted to in- 
dividually monopolize the tables, as well 
as various other details. If desirous of in- 
creasing the membership a circular may 
be sent round to the leading residents of 
the locality. 

Inter club Matches. 
In interclub matches the teams usually 
consist of five players a side, each of the 
five players playing the whole of the op- 



Ping Pong. 51 

posite set in turn. Twenty-five games are 
thus played, so that a definite result is al- 
ways arrived at. 

The games usually consist of twenty 
points up, though this can be increased to 
twenty-five or thirty if desired, as there is 
no definite ruling at present on the point. 
In the event of the score being called nine- 
teen all, the best of five points are usually 
played to decide the game. 

Experience has shown that a match be- 
tween teams of five players, as above, 
usually occupies about two and a half to 
three hours, giving each player a good 
evening's play, with the necessary intervals 
between the games. 



Ping Pong. 52 



CHAPTER V. 

LEADING STROKES. 

To the casual observer there would not 
appear to be anything like the scope in this 
game that there is in Lawn Tennis for va- 
riety of strokes, owing to the much 
smaller area, of the court, the prohibition 
of volleying, the lightness of the ball, and 
other limitations. While, however, these 
are obstacles in the direction indicated, 



Ping Pong. 53 

there are a considerable number of special 
strokes which differ alike in method and 
in result. Speaking generally, the game 
is played so very much on the same lines 
as Lawn Tennis that the majority of 
strokes used are common to both games. 
There is, however, one feature of Ping 
Pong in which it differs materially from 
its sister game, viz., the lightning speed at 
which it is played, and this must obviously 
result in considerable modification in the 
style of Lawn Tennis strokes when these 
are introduced into Ping Pong. We offer, 
therefore, the following remarks on some 
of the principal strokes of the game, with 
the proviso that, owing to the fact that 
Ping Pong is at present only in its initial 



Ping Pong. 54 

stages, the strokes of which we treat are 
in a transitional state, and liable to con- 
siderable modification. 

The Service. 
At the present time there is very con- 
siderable divergence of opinion among 
players of the game as regards both the 
specific object and the method of the serv- 
ice. The former may be divided into two 
classes; first, the service the object of 
which is to score the point, and, second, 
that which only aims at putting the ball 
into play. The first of these is steadily 
gaining in popularity, and is likely to do 
so as the game develops. Great speed is 
almost a sine qua non, and the judicious 



Ping Pong. 57 

placing of the service is also of the first 
importance. The present regulations in 
vogue, which insist upon the service being 
delivered from below the waist, are not 
considered by many leading players desir- 
able to perpetuate, and it is more than 
probable that some alteration will shortly 
be introduced. A very hard low service is 
especially telling against a weaker oppo- 
nent, who may be receiving a long start, 
as it puts him in difficulties at once, and 
generally results in a high, slow return, 
which can be readily smashed. As no 
"fault" is allowed, it naturally follows 
that for a hard service to be really valuable 
it must be sedulously practiced until pre- 
cision is arrived at. Many players at- 



Ping Pong. 58 

tempt, with varying results, a useful 
"screw," but the value of this is to a large 
extent discounted by the lightness of the 
ball and the comparative smoothness of 
the surface of the racquet. 

As regards that service which has for its 
object simply the starting of the rally, 
nothing much need be said, as it is, of 
course, very easy to deliver, and can only 
be varied by some amount of placing. 

The Return. 

This may also be divided, generally 
speaking, into two classes, the forehand 
and the backhand, respectively. Both of 
these have very ardent advocates, though 
the latter is unquestionably the more pop- 




M% : J 



UGO 




Ping Pong. 61 

ular up to the present. Whether owing to 
the lightness of the ball or to a certain 
check which the use of the backhand stroke 
necessitates, there is no doubt that the ball 
is more easily kept within the limits of the 
playing area, and can be placed with 
greater judgment by this stroke than when 
hitting on the forehand. At the same 
time, many players of considerable note 
still mainly rely upon the forehand Lawn 
Tennis stroke when it is possible for them 
to apply this. There can be no doubt, how- 
ever, that the highest standard of all- 
round play can only be attained by the 
sedulous cultivation of both these returns. 

The two main points in the return are 
unquestionably hard hitting and good 



Ping Pong. 62 

placing, neither holding to the other any 
priority of importance. While the former 
is obviously more attractive and brilliant 
than the latter, if unduly relied upon it is 
certain to be discounted by clever placing, 
and in many a brilliant rally the hard 
hitter will be placed in difficulties by an 
opponent who plays a much slower game, 
but repeatedly places the ball at most un- 
expected parts of the table. 

The Half-Volley. 
As Ping Pong is at present played, there 
is certainly no stroke which is more uni- 
versally used and believed in by players 
than the half-volley, and this forms one of 
the most striking differences between the 
two games which are in many respects so 



Ping Pong. 65 

similar, namely, Lawn Tennis and Table 
Tennis. To half-volley, judge where the 
ball is likely to fall, then swing the rac- 
quet so that it will meet it when it bounces 
from the table. Many players rely upon 
the half-volley almost exclusively, and be- 
tween two players who use this stroke a 
very fast and pretty game is produced. 
While this stroke is quite essential at times, 
is not difficult to learn, and is one which 
should be developed by all players, it is a 
mistake to rely upon it too exclusively. A 
clever half-volleyer is often almost non- 
plused by a high, slow return, and it is 
therefore very necessary to cultivate other 
strokes to use in conjunction with the half- 
volley. 



Ping Pong. . r 66 

The Smash. 
Of all Ping Pong strokes, the palm for 
brilliancy, effectiveness, and fascination 
must be given to this stroke. At the same 
time it must be stated that there is no 
stroke in the game which is more difficult 
to bring off with anything like certainty. 
It requires most careful judgment, electric 
quickness, and great accuracy in order to 
be of value as a winning stroke. In at- 
tempting it, the great danger is of confus- 
ing a return which may be safely 
smashed or one which, while equally 
tempting, is either just too low or too near 
the net to be properly treated in a cavalier 
manner. The practiced smasher is, how- 
ever, a deadly opponent, and is able to 



Ping Pong. 69 

exert a most demoralizing effect upon a 
weaker adversary. Obviously, a tall player 
is able to cultivate this stroke more easily 
than those of shorter stature, owing to the 
much greater reach. Most players in the 
front rank are devoting attention to im- 
proving their smash, as, if successfully 
brought off, it is unquestionably a win- 
ning stroke. It is obvious that a "lobbing" 
game against a smash is fatal, the only 
safe method to be adopted being the hard 
low style of play. 

In all-round Table Tennis there are, of 
course, many varieties of minor strokes, 
but, as these are really modifications of the 
four main strokes before referred to, they 
are not entitled to more than a passing 



Ping Pong. 70 

mention here. The player will soon find 
that they present themselves in the course 
of his games against other players of dif- 
ferent styles from his own, and will culti- 
vate them according as he finds them more 
or less useful. All styles of play and 
every method of both defense and attack 
are, especially at present, when the game 
is in its elementary stage, well worth 
thinking over and consistently practicing 
with a view to their development. 



Ping Pong. 71 



CHAPTER VI. 

SCORING. 

Tournaments and inter-club matches are 
always conducted on the American sys- 
tem, whether played in this country or in 
England. In a tournament each player 
plays against each other player, and his 
position is decided by the average results 
of his various matches, these being reck- 
oned either by games or points, according 



Ping Pong. 72 

to arrangement. We append a table show- 
ing the simplest and best method of handi- 
cap tournament scoring, which, although 
here only shown for five players, applies 
equally to any number. 





< 


P3 


O 


Q 


H 




Handi- 


o 


4 


q 





2 


Total. 


cap. 














A 




17 


20 


13 


16 




B 


20 




16 


20 


18 




C 


19 


20 




19 


20 


CO 


D 


20 


18 


20 




19 




E 


20 


20 


12 


20 




w 
r- 


Total 


79 


75 


68 


72 


73 





In the above table the method adopted is 



Ping Pong. 73 

to score all the points made by a player in 
the vertical column under his name, and 
all the points scored against the same 
player in the horizontal column opposite 
his name. Thus A scores 79 points and 
has 66 points scored against him. The ad- 
vantage of this system is that it shows at a 
glance the results in points of any one 
game of the tournament. Thus, if it is 
desired to see how E fared in his match 
with B, we find E's score in his vertical 
column opposite B, and B's score in his 
column opposite E. If the tournament 
shown above were reckoned on games, A 
is the winner, and, as it happens, he also 
wins on points. If the latter system were 



Ping Pong. 74 

adopted, the result of the above tourna- 
ment would be : — 

1. A scores 79, scored against him 66 = -f- 1 3 

2 . B) . " 75 " " " 74 = + 1 
3.E* " 73 " " " 72 = + 1 

4. D " 72 " " *' 77 = — 5 

5. C " 68 " " " 78 = — 10 

If scoring by points be adopted, both the 
points scored by and against each player 
must be taken into account. 



Ping Pong. 75 



CHAPTER VII. 

PING PONG TOURNAMENTS. 

One of the most interesting and im- 
portant of club incidents is the tourna- 
ment. As soon as the club has reached 
reasonable dimensions it is incumbent on 
the Hon. Secretary, assisted by the com- 
mittee of management, to organize a club 
tournament, open to members only. Such 



Ping Pong. 76 

an introduction is always most useful. Not 
only does it infuse renewed interest in the 
game, inducing more assiduous practice 
beforehand, but it also gives an idea of the 
respective merits of various members as 
players for comparison. Probably a con- 
siderable amount of the work entailed by 
the organization will fall on the Hon. Sec- 
retary, but, as his is a labor of love, 
such a trifle ( ! ) may be overlooked. The 
club tournament should generally consist 
of, say, four events, viz., Gentlemen's Club 
Championship and Handicap, and Ladies' 
Club Championship and Handicap. A 
small fee of, say, 50 cents each event, may 



Ping Pong. 7? 

be charged, and the entrance fee should be 
returned as prizes, plus any amount that 
may have been subscribed by subscription 
or by patrons for the same purpose. If a 
large entry is obtained, first, second, third, 
and fourth prizes may be given in each 
event ; if small, one prize or two. It is de- 
sirable to get one of the patrons of the 
club, or, failing this, to raise the money by 
subscription, to provide a couple of chal- 
lenge cups, one for ladies and one for 
gentlemen, to be used either as perpetual 
challenge trophies, or which may be won 
outright by winning three times in suc- 
cession or four times in all, or some similar 



Ping Pong. 78 

arrangement. The first procedure in or- 
ganizing a tournament is, of course, to get 
entries for the various events, also the en- 
try fees. It has then to be decided as to 
whether the tournament should be run on 
our own system, which means that every 
man plays everybody else in his event, 
and the ladies likewise ; or on the English 
system, popularly known as the "knock 
out." In the American system, if a large 
entry is obtained, the players should divide 
into sections of so many each ; each player 
plays every other player in his section, the 
winner of the greatest number of games 
being the winner of his section. In the 



Ping Pong. 79 

case of a tie by two competitors, the win- 
ner should be decided by the net results in 
points in each case, after adding the points 
made and subtracting the points against. 
Should a tie still result, the players must 
play off again. The same system can be 
carried out with regard to the winners of 
the sections in respect to the final. In re- 
gard to the English system known as the 
"knock out," the players are drawn to play 
against each other, the competitors prac- 
tically being reduced by half each round, 
and as the rounds have to be arranged so 
that the whole number of players is ulti- 
mately reduced to one winner, it fre- 



Ping Pong. 80 

quently happens that a certain num- 
ber of them have to be made byes. 
This is all arranged by chance when the 
draw takes place, and it is always advis- 
able to have members of the committee 
present when the draw is in progress. 
The draw in both the American and Eng- 
lish systems is done by putting the names 
of all the competitors on pieces of paper, 
putting them into a hat and well shaking 
them up, and deputing a member of the 
committee to draw them out one by one. 
The two different methods of tournaments 
can be better explained by the following 
diagrams : — 

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP 
QRSTUVWXare competitors. 



Ping Pong. 81 

The American System. 
On the American system, divide the com- 
petitors into sections, the number in each 
section to be previously arranged in the 
following, or any, order, according to the 
drawing : — 



(I) 


(2) 


(3) 


(4) 


A 


G 


M 


S 


B 


H 


N 


T 


C 


I 


O 


U 


D 


J 


P 


V 


E 


K 


Q 


W 


F 


L 


R 


X 



There will thus be four sectional win- 
ners, i, 2, 3 and 4, and the finals can then 
be decided in either of two ways — viz., by 
1, 2, 3 and 4 playing each other, the win- 



Ping Pong. 82 

ner of most games taking the champion- 
ship, the second taking second prize and so 
on; or on the "knock-out" system, in 
which case draw whether i is to play 2, 3, 
or 4 — we will suppose that 1 has to play 
3, 2 will consequently have to play 4, and 
the finals will be decided in the following 
manner : — 



plays [ 
3 > 


Winner 

3 


Winner 
2 


plays I 
4 ' 


2 




2 takes championship, 3 


takes second 


prize. 






The 


English Sy 


stem. 


On the English system, di 


-aw all the com- 



Ping Pong. 83 

petitors, and bracket them in the order 
in which they are drawn. For example : — 



Competi- 
tors. 



A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 
I 

i 

L 
M 

N 
O 
P 

Q 

R 
S 
T 
U 
V 
W 
X 



Winners 
ist Round. 



2nd 
Round. 



bye 
bye 
bye 
bye 



bye 
bye 
bye 
bye 





A 
D 


Hi 


H 


l\ 


J 




P 


i\ 


T 


5} 

w i 

x \ 


V 
X 



4 th 
Round. 
Semi- 
final. 



D 



T 1 



X 



T 



Winner 



In the above there are twenty-four play- 



Ping Pong. 84 

ers. As these cannot, by being reduced 
half each round, be reduced to only two 
winners in the final, a certain number, as 
marked, have to be made byes, which 
means they go through the first round 
without playing. The byes have also to 
be decided by drawing. 

As already stated, the tournament is 
bound to have a beneficial efifect on club 
play in almost every respect, and should 
the club be at all in financial straits a 
tournament may be utilized as a means of 
increasing the exchequer by charging a 
small sum for friends and others to view 
the finals. The above systems can, of 
course, be varied according to the require- 
ments. It is, however, very advisable that 



Ping Pong. 85 

all arrangements down to the merest de- 
tails should be discussed and arranged 
prior to the tournament, as this prevents 
any chance of misunderstanding arising 
while it is in progress. The number of 
points to be played in the preliminary 
rounds, the number of points to be played 
in the finals, the dates by which respec- 
tive rounds or sections have to be played 
off, the date by which the finals must be 
finished must, of course, all be settled be- 
forehand. 

Arranging a Tournament. 
As to arranging a tournament, the fol- 
lowing hints may be useful : — 

The first thing to do is to get a good 



Ping Pong. 86 

secretary. He must be a good man of 
business, able to make himself liked and 
respected, and should know all the points 
of the game. 

A strong committee is the next diffi- 
culty. It is as well to let the secretary ap- 
prove all the people selected for the com 
mittee before they are elected. In choos- 
ing your committee the following points 
must be considered : — 

(i) Capability of taking a portion of 
the secretary's duties from him, and help- 
ing in the management on the tournament 
days. 

(2) Ability to secure entries or sell 
tickets of admission. 

(3) Whether any name on the commit- 



Ping Pong. 87 

tee would be a help or the reverse. It is 
decidedly unwise to have any one who is 
distinctly disliked in the neighborhood, 
even by only a small section of the in- 
habitants, while the name of the popular 
person is worth a great deal. 

Patrons, guarantees, and referee must 
also be selected with care. 

It is most important that the referee 
should thoroughly understand his duties, 
and can give his decisions with firmness. 

The committee will first have to decide 
on the hall at w r hich the meeting is to be 
held. Choose a place where there are 
good lighting arrangements. If play is to 
be by daylight, there should be windows 
on each side of the hall, and if by artificial 



Ping Pong. 88 

light the gas or electric light should be so 
placed that each table can be lighted from 
immediately above its center. The hall 
should have plenty of accommodation for 
spectators, and the cloak and refreshment 
rooms should be large enough for the pur- 
pose. 

The date of the tournament has next to 
be fixed. The date should be about three 
weeks after the first circulars are out. The 
secretary, before the committee meeting, 
will have obtained the various dates on 
which the halls suitable are free, so that 
the committee can decide on the day or 
days without fear of the hall being en- 
gaged. The date on which the entries 
close must also be fixed. The date for 



Ping Pong. 89 

commencing the tournament being decided, 
the times of play have to be considered, 
and the number of days the tournament 
will take. The latter will depend on the 
number of entries expected compared to 
the number of tables available. It is as 
well to have the ladies' events in the after- 
noon, and the men's in the evening. This 
reduces the number of days necessary to 
get through the programme. 

The different events to be held next re- 
quire consideration. 

Handicapping in the present state of the 
game is almost impossible, so that all the 
events should be scratch ones. 

Two events should always be held — one 
for ladies and another for gentlemen. 



Ping Pong. 90 

Another point to be considered is 
whether the tournament should be held 
under Table Tennis, or Ping Pong, rules, 
or if ordinary Lawn Tennis score should 
be adopted and special rules made. 

The next question to be considered is 
whether the tournament should be on the 
American or English system. This will 
depend on the number of days it is pro- 
posed to devote to the tournament. A 
"knock-out" tournament— as the English 
system is termed — of three games of 
twenty points, is a better test of a player's 
ability, but a larger entry will be received 
if the American system be adopted. 

It will be found as a general rule that 



Ping Pong. 91 

fifteen games of twenty points can be 
played on each table every hour. 

The above points should be embodied in 
a circular, and sent to all Ping Pong, or 
Table Tennis, clubs within a reasonable 
distance, as well as to any one the com- 
mittee thinks likely to enter, obtain entries 
or sell tickets. 

The secretary should, as far as possible, 
divide his duties among his committee, 
keeping, of course, supreme control. 

For instance, committee-man No. I 
should have charge of the refreshments, 
and should be in the first round, and the 
winner plays responsible for all arrange- 
ments connected with them. 

No. 2 should have the preparation of 



Ping Pong. 92 

the hall for the tournament. He must see 
that sufficient tables are provided, that the 
lighting of each is good, that the nets and 
posts are properly fixed. He should make 
arrangements for keeping a clear space 
round each table, so that players are not 
hampered by the spectators, and each table 
should be clearly numbered. Also he must 
take care that there is an abundant sup- 
ply of balls of good quality. Seats should 
be placed round each table (about two or 
three rows are sufficient), so that people 
can watch the game comfortably. 

No. 3 should have charge of the um- 
pires and scoring. He must make ar- 
rangements for the results of each game 
being clearly posted up, and must gen- 



Ping Pong. 93 

erally see that the umpires are efficient, 
and that time is not wasted in playing off 
the matches. 

No. 4 should have charge of competi- 
tors. He must see that they are wearing 
their numbers as printed on the pro- 
grammes, that they know where to play, 
and he must take care that they are ac- 
quainted with any special rules the com- 
mittee have made, such as length of game, 
etc. 

The Draw. 
Directly all the entries have been re- 
ceived, the draw should be made. All the 
names should be written on slips of paper, 
and, when well mixed together, drawn 



Ping Pong. 94 

one by one. The names as they are drawn 
should be entered in lists. 

If the tournament is to last for more 
than two days, each competitor should be 
advised as soon as possible after the draw 
of the day he is to play. Arrangements 
should be made for admitting competitors 
into the hall early, so that they can get 
some practice before playing. It would be 
as well if some committee-man were ap- 
pointed to see that only competitors play 
ing the same evening were practicing, 
otherwise they often experience some dif- 
ficulty in getting a table to play on. 

The referee's duties are to decide all 
doubtful questions of law, and any disputes 
that may arise during play. 



Ping Pong. 95 

The duties of the umpire are the fol- 
lowing : — 

To see that the game is played strictly 
in accordance with the rules. Great care 
and judgment must be used over the fol- 
lowing points : — 

Every service not underhand, not below 
the waist or not behind the end of the 
table must be called a fault immediately. 

The score must be called distinctly after 
every point. 

In giving a "let" when the player is ob- 
structed by spectators. 

If doubtful whether the ball touched 
table or not, the umpire should call a let. 

The result must be handed in to the 



Ping Pong. 96 

referee, and care taken that the correct re- 
sult is given. 

The umpire must not be influenced by 
anything the spectators say. Some um- 
pires give their decisions according to the 
opinions of the onlookers rather than their 
own judgment, and this is a fatal mistake. 



Ping Pong. 97 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ACCESSORIES FOR THE GAME. 

As has been previously indicated, Ping 
Pong accessories, while very simple, differ 
^very considerably in design, and are con 
stantly being added to as new improve- 
ments are introduced. 

The Racquet. 
As this was evolved from an ordinary 
battledore, it was originally made with a 
wooden frame, on which was stretched 



Ping Pong. 98 

parchment or vellum. The long handle 
gradually disappeared, and the quality of 
the racquet was steadily improved, until a 
very highly-finished article was arrived at. 
There was, however, always a great draw- 
back to this type of racquet — which, by 
the way, is still largely used — inasmuch as 
its condition varies so materially with cli- 
matic changes. It is apt to become very 
slack when subjected to cold or damp, and 
requires constant warming to keep up the 
tension. It is also very liable to warp. 
As an improvement in these two connec- 
tions, racquets made of wood and com- 
position were last year introduced, and 
these are rapidly gaining in public favor. 
They possess greater driving power, and 



Ping Pong. 99 

have the very substantial advantage of be- 
ing always in the same condition. The 
playing surface of the racquet is at pres- 
ent fixed at a maximum of 7 inches long 
by 6 inches wide, the weight being left en- 
tirely optional, and varying very consider- 
ably, according to the tastes of the dif- 
erent players. 

Some enterprising firms have introduced 
racquets made of other materials, such as 
aluminum, cork, steel, glass, etc., but these 
can only be regarded as curious experi- 
ments which are not likely to result in any 
lasting success. 

The Ball. 
As has already been stated, this is of 
celluloid, very light and strong. It is 
LofC. 



Ping Pong. 100 

about i£ inches in diameter, and is on the 
whole so satisfactory that it appears most 
unlikely that any radical change will be in- 
troduced into the game in this particular 
connection. There can be no doubt that 
the present popularity of the game rests 
primarily on the invention of the celluloid 
ball, as by its use the game is practicable in 
the drawing-room and the club-room alike. 
Celluloid balls covered with a kind of 
cloth, such as is used in lawn tennis balls, 
have been tried, but have not met with 
very much favor. 

The Table. 
While the game can be most enjoyably 
played on any ordinary table of, say, 6 



Ping Pong. 101 

feet or upward in length, the present regu- 
lation match table is 2 feet 6 inches in 
height, with a playing surface of 9 feet 
long by 5 feet wide. It is generally made 
of white wood, of considerable width, 
which obviates the necessity of many 
joints. It is usually painted a dull, dark 
green, and has a half-inch white line 
round the edges, the latter serving as a 
useful guide to the player in placing. 

The Net. 
This is either of thin gauze or netting, 
stretched right across the table, and pro- 
jecting some three or four inches on either 
side, supported on projecting clamps. 
As previously stated, its height should be 



Ping Pong. 102 

three-quarters of an inch to each foot 
length of the table. For the ordinary 
match table, which is colored a dark green, 
a white net is found most suitable, while if 
the table be made of material of a darker 
color, a green net with a white top is gen- 
erally used. 



Ping Pong. 103 



CHAPTER IX. 

USEFUL HINTS. 

Do not commence the game by serving 
too fast. Wait until you have got set, and 
gradually increase the pace of the service 
until your normal delivery is reached. 

Vary the service as much as possible. 
Do not continually serve from the same 
place and in the same manner. The fol- 
lowing are methods by which you can get 
variety of service: 



Ping Pong. 104 

( i ) By placing. Place the services so 
far as is possible at your opponent's weak 
point. If you observe that he is a fore- 
hand player chiefly, place them well down 
to his back-hand. Do not worry if the 
service is only a slow one, as the difficulty 
he will have in returning a ball from his 
weak side will in all probability give you 
the chance of scoring with your next 
stroke. 

(2) Serve sometimes from the right- 
hand side of the table, at other times from 
the left, and occasionally from the middle. 
In this way your opponent will never get 
used to the angle at which the ball leaves 
the table. 

(3) Vary the pace as much as you pos- 



Ping Pong. 105 

sibly can without altering the action used 
in serving. 

(4) A twist or backcut service is also 
extremely useful, particularly after a very 
hard service, when your opponent has 
been led to stand well behind the table. 

Develop one or two services, and make 
certain of being able to place them. 
When serving, take particular notice of 
the point to which most of the returns 
come. You will thus frequently be ready 
to deliver a fine stroke from anticipating 
your opponent's intentions. 

At the moment of striking the ball, 
whenever possible, give an upward twist 
to the wrist. This adds pace, makes the 
ball go nearer the top of the net and come 



Ping Pong. 106 

quicker from the table; also if the ball 
strikes the top of the net this twist will, in 
many cases, cause it to roll over. 

Do not slog too hard at every ball ; the 
primary object is to get the ball back over 
the net with sufficient pace and length to 
force a weak return. Do not start a game 
by hitting too hard, but start slowly and 
gradually work up to your full drive. 

When your opponent gives you a ball 
which it is possible to negotiate, never 
hesitate from careful motives, but try to 
win the point. 

In placing the ball, always send it to the 
spot most inconvenient to your opponent. 
The most inconvenient spot, as a rule, is 
that part of the court he least expects the 



Ping Pong. 107 

ball to be returned to. Thus a ball 
straight at him down the table is very 
often a more telling stroke than one on 
any of the side lines. Also it is frequently 
more effective to place the ball to that part 
of the table his racket has just left, rather 
than to the side it is being moved toward. 

Do not "lob" against an opponent who 
can drive hard from the back line. He 
will, in all probability, spoil every one of 
your returns. 

Always anticipate, if you possibly can, 
where your opponent is going to return 
the ball. Do not move toward the spot 
you expect the return to come to until he 
has actually hit the ball, otherwise he may 



Ping Pong. 108 

at the last moment change its direction, 
completely beating you. 

Notice all your faults, and, if possible, 
get some onlooker who understands the 
game to point out any fault he may have 
noticed. Practice all your weak points as 
much as possible. Leave off some of your 
pet strokes during practice, and try and 
take every ball in the particular manner 
that happens to be most difficult to you. 

Do not, when practicing, think that any 
manner of stroke or any kind of play will 
have no influence over your game. Al- 
ways play your best and your hardest. 
However you have been handicapped, try 
your best to win. Your constant motto 
must be "Improvement/' If you do not 



Ping Pong. 109 

improve, you will gradually become a 
weaker player. It is impossible to remain 
at a dead level ; one must either improve or 
go back. 

Do not be content with thinking of the 
game only when you are playing it. In 
spare moments try and think out some new 
strokes or methods of play, and then, when 
next practicing, turn your theories to prac- 
tical use. 

Play as large a variety of opponents as 
you possibly can. You will then learn to 
attack many kinds of defense and to de- 
fend many kinds of attack. The experi- 
ence gained will be of great use when 
playing in tournaments, and you are less 



Ping Pong. 110 

likely to be upset by some entirely new 
method of playing or placing. 

Deceive your opponents as much as pos- 
sible as to the direction of your strokes. 
Practice looking one way and hitting the 
other. Practice moving your body so as 
to deceive your opponent as to the direc- 
tion you intend placing the ball. With 
practice it will be found possible to move 
the body in almost any direction and any 
way, and at the same time to place the ball 
to any part of the court. 

Do not play too much or too long at 
once. After playing for an hour or two 
the eye and wrist will get tired, and the 
play will become wanting in variety and 
sting. 



Ping Pong. Ill 

Try practicing by yourself. The follow- 
ing are three good methods for improving 
one's control of the ball : 

( i ) Stand about a yard or a yard and 
a half from an ordinary wall and hit the 
ball up against it, keeping it up as long 
as possible. The more expert you get in 
this, the closer can you stand to the wall. 
This will make the wrist flexible, and is 
excellent practice in hitting the ball truly, 
because a slight screw put on the ball will 
make it impossible to keep up the rally. 

(2) A similar exercise to the above 
can be done by using the table, instead of 
the wall. It will be found possible, with 
practice, to keep the ball bouncing on the 



Ping Pong. 112 

table when holding the racket within three 
inches of the top. 

(3) If the room is not too lofty, prac- 
tice hitting the ball upward so as just to 
touch the ceiling. Keep this up as long as 
possible. This is a most difficult exercise, 
as the ball, as a rule, hits the ceiling too 
hard, making it impossible to send it up 
again. 

Do not play when tired, either physically 
and mentally, as it is impossible to play 
one's proper game unless fresh, and to do 
otherwise tends to weaken one's play. 

Make sure of easy strokes. Because it 
seems impossible to miss a certain return, 
many players slash wildly at the ball, and 
frequently miss making a good return. 



Ping Pong. 118 

Many games are lost through carelessness 
in hitting easy balls. The easier a ball is 
to take, the more care must be used in 
making the stroke. If the stroke be lost, 
not only does your opponent gain one 
point, he also gains courage and nerve, es- 
pecially if the game be a level one. 

Variety is the great secret of success. 
Change your game so as to suit every op- 
ponent. Never play the same game 
against two different players, and if your 
opponent seems to be mastering you, try 
another method of tackling him. 

Always attack whenever possible. It is 
far less tiring to attack than to be con- 
tinually on the defensive. 



Two Stirring Romances 
by 

Alexandre Dumas 
D'ARTAGNAN, THE 
KING MAKER . . . 
THE KING'S GALLANT 

Historical romances full of plot 
and action, now for the first time 
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reading for those who love 
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A Dainty Volume . . . 

... of Dainty Stories 

BITS OF BROKEN 
CHINA 

By Wm. E. S. Fales 

J* 

Fascinating novelettes of life 
in the "Chinatown" of New York 
city. The hopes, the fears, the 
loves and jealousies of John. A 
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The Greatest Fun Maker 
That Ever Happened 

THINGS GENERALLY 

By Max Adeler 



No humorist in America is 
quite so dry or quite so quaint as 
the author of these sparkling 
sketches on M things generally." 
A volume to be read by anyone 
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A Book for All Players of 
Bridge Whist 

ABC OF BRIDGE 

By Eleanor A. Tennant 



A volume that will aid any- 
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and to the point. 

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THE STORY OF A HOPELESS LOVE. 

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Author <t/*"Detmoi,d." 



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A Book Full of " Human " Interest. 



QUEER PEOPLE 

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Author of " DfcTMOU). " 



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